Shutter silencer



1927' J. L. WHEELER SHUTTER SILENCER Filed Feb. 5. 1921 3 Sheets-Sheet l'lnzfanior': Johm/ L.W/weler:

I I v 1616,244 Feb. 1927' J. L. WHEELER SHUTTER SILENCER Filed Feb. 5.1921 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Zz' .4 f V/eeeln Alia/way);

Feb. 1, 1927. J. L WHEELER SHUTTER SILENGER Filed Feb. 5. 1921 3Sheets-Sheet 3 1 w wk n 2 m u 2 A, n M

Patented Febal, 1927.

UNITED STATES PAINT FFICE.

JOHN L. WHEELER, OF ST; LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIG-NOR TO THE MEASUREGRAPI-ICOM- PANY, OLE ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

SHUTTER SILENCER.

Application filed February 3, 1921.

This invention relates to registering or n'ieasuring machines andparticularly to machines of the computing type which usually embody intheir construction a driven chart bearing computed numbers indicatingthe cost of the measured article at difierent prices per yard, or otherunit of measure. In the machine illustrated the length indicator isconstructed to indicate aliquot fractions of the unit of measure and thechart bears computations corresponding to each number and fraction shownby the dial and corresponding to different prices per yard indicated bya fixed scale which co-operates with the chart. On the chart thecomputed figures are considerably condensed and hence a number on thechart can sometimes be read when the pointers are not indicating exactlythe length to which the visible computed figure corresponds. For thisreason a shutter has been resorted to which operates as a screen tocover the chart, and this shutter is withdrawn automatically wheneverthefraction pointer is coinciding with one of the numbered aliquotdivisions of the unit indicated on the scale of the length indicator.The result of this is that with such a mechanism the shutter opens andcloses repeatedly as every eighth yard is measured, and this will occureven if a considerable length of goods is to be measured.

The general object of the present invention is not only to provide ashutter to perform the function suggested above, but to providecontrolling means for the shutter which will operate in such a way thatthe shutter will not commence to open and close until a predeterminedpoint has been reached in taking the measurement; for example, supposethat it were desired to measure 8 1 yards; my invention enables me toset the controlling mechanism so that the shutter will remain closeduntil about 8 yards have been indicated, at which time the shutter willcommence to operate in the regular manner.

Further objects of the invention will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel features, and in the generalcombination of parts to be particularly described hereinafter, all ofwhich contribute to produce a simpleand efficient shutter silencer formeasuring and computing machines. A preferred embodiment of my inventionwill be par- Serial No. 442,053.

ticul-arly described in the following specification, while the broadscope of my invention will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing,

Figure l is a side elevation of a type of n'lachine to which myinvention may be applied;

Figure 2 is a view showing a side elevation of the mechanism of thismachine with the casing removed, a part of the driving mechanism beingshown in section. In this view certain parts are omitted for the sake ofclearness;

Figure 3 is a plan of the complete machine partially broken away andshown in cross section;

Figure 4 is a section taken about on the line 4% of Figure 3, but withcertain parts broken away, and the casing of the machine being omitted;this view particularly illustrates the shutter and its actuatingmechanism;

Figure 5 is a vertical section taken about on the line 5 5 of Figure 3but upon an enlarged scale, the casing being omitted;

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken near the plane of the line H ofFigure 3 and particularly illustrating the means for controlling theoperation of the shutter actuating mechanism;

Figure 7 is a vertical cross section taken about in the plane of theline 44 of Figure 3 and particularly illustrating the driving mechanismfor driving thecharts: and the indicating pointers; and

Figure 8 is a horizontal section taken about on the level of the line 88in Figure 6 and further illustrating details of the trigger whichcontrols the operation of the shutter actuating mechanism.

The machine to which I have illustrated the invention as appliedcomprises a casing 1 having a gap 2 through the same and in this gap islocated a measuring roller 3 see Figure 2-). With this measuring rollera pr-esser roller 4 co-operates to press the fabric against the face ofthe measuring roller when a measurement is being taken. The indicatingmechanism includes a length indicator comprising a dial 5 (see Figure 3)having numbers which indicate multiples of the unit of measure, forexample yards, and this dial also carries fractional divisionscorresponding to aliquot divisions of the unit of measure, for exampleeighths of a yard. Above the scale two hands or pointers 6 and 7 areprovided, the latter of which makes one complete revolution while thepointer 6 is moving from one division to the next, for example bet-weenthe numbers 1 and 2 on the dial.

The indicating mechanism also includes means for indicating the chargesto be made for the fabric, computed at different prices per yard. Thismechanism includes two fixed scales 8 and 9 (see Figures 3 and 4)adjacent to which the upper frame plate 10 of the machine is providedwith windows such as the window 11 through which the com puted figuresmay be seen; and the casing 1 is provided with windows 12 alining withthe windows 11 (see Figure 3). Two charts 13 and 1a are provided whichwrap around take-up rollers 15 and 16, and when the indicating mechanismis in its Zero position the principal portion of these charts is wrappedabout a drum 17 disposed below the take-up rollers and to one side (seeFigure 4). This drum 17 carries within it a spring 18 which maintainsthe charts in tension and returns the mechanism to the zero position.

Any suitable means may be provided for driving the charts 13 and 14L andthe indicating pointers 6 and 7 in unison. For this purpose the shaft ofthe measuring roller 3 extends through a vertical frame plate 19 (seeFigure 7 and carries a pinion 20 which drives a gear wheel 21 on theshaft 22, said shaft carrying a pinion 23 which drives a large gearwheel 24 carried by a sleeve 25, and rigid with this gear wheel 24: Iprovide a pinion 26 which drives an idler 27 which meshes with two gears28 and 29 which are carried respectively by the shafts 30 of the twotake-up rollers 15 and 16. A clutch, not illustrated, is usuallyprovided on the shaft 22.

The pointers 6 and 7 are driven in unison with the charts 13 and 14r-For this purpose the sleeve 25 carries a bevel gear 31 (see Figure 2)which meshes with a bevel gear 32 on the lower end of a tubular shaft33, the upper end of which carries the fraction pointer 7. A reductiongear 34: is provided of an suitable construction from which a sleeve 35extends upwardly, the upper end of which carries rigidly the slow movingpointer 6. This sleeve 35 operates as the driving spindle for thispointer 6.

The charts 13 and 14 carry rows of computed Figures 36 (see Figure 3)which are in line respectively with rows of figures on the scales 8 and9 which indicate different prices per yard or other unit of measure. Inother words, the computed figures at 36 are functions of the lengthindicated by the pointers 6 and 7. There is a computed figure on eachchart corresponding to each eighth of a yard of measurement which can beindicated by the hands 6 and 7. But there are no computations forintermediate positions of the hand or pointers 7. Hence it may happenthat a computed figure would be visible through the window 12 when thehand or pointer 7 is in an intermediate position, and hence the Computedfigure would not indicate the proper price for the measurementindicated. For this reason machines of this type have been provided withmeans for preventing the reading of the chart except when the pointersindicate the measurement corresponding to the computed figure displayedat the window. The specific means for this purpose consists of a shutterwhich screens the chart or charts in all intermediate positions of thepointer 7 but which opens automatically when the pointer 7 is oppositeone of the fractional divisions, for example, the one-eighth division orthe one-fourth division, etc.

In making short measurements there is no objection to the repeatedopening and closing of the shutter, but in making long measure ments itis desirable to avoid this unnecessary movement of the shuttermechanism. I shall now describe the shutter and the shutter actuatingmechanism after which I shall describe means for inhibiting theoperation of the shutter until the length indicator arrives at apredetermined point. Then this point is reached the shutter operates inits regular automatic manner.

Referring to Figure 7 the large gear wheel 2 1 drives a pinion 37 whichis rigid with a I larger gear wheel 38 mounted on a counter shaft 39.And the larger gear wheel 38 drives a pinion 40 just above it and whichis loose on a shaft 41. Rigid with the pinion 40 there is provided aratchet 42 having a shoulder 43 which engages a pawl 41-4 pressed by aspring 45 and carried on a pawl carrier 16 in the form of a cam andhaving a cam notch or depression 4-7. [lo-operating with the cam 46 Iprovide a cam lever 1-8 the shaft 49 of which extends through theaforesaid vertical frame plate 19 and carries a lever 50 on the otherside of the frame plate (see Figure 4.) This lever is connected by alink 51 with a shutter 52 which is pivotally mounted on the shaft 30 ofthe roller 15. A similar shutter 53 is provided corresponding to theroller 16, and the two shutters are connected by a link 54. Each shutterhas a longitudinally extending bar 55 (see Figure 3) which may come intoposition under the window 11 and thereby screen the face of the chart sothat it cannot be seen by the person operating the machine. A spring 56attached to the lever 50 tends to hold the cam roller 57 of the lever 18against the edge of the cam et6. With a shutter actuating mechanismconstructed as described, it is evident that when the pinion 40 isdriven in aclockwise direction it will rotate the cam 46' continuouslyand open the shutter once in each cycle or complete rotation of the cam.

I provide means for silencing or inhibiting the operation of theshutter. This is preferably accomplished by means of a trigger 58 whichis in the form of a bent bellcrank lever mounted under frame plate 59(see Figure 6), and this trigger terminates in a horizontally extendingfinger 60 which projects toward the taceot the frame plate 19 and in aposition to engage a shoulder 61 cut in the periphery of cam lever Q8.The function of the finger is to hold the cam lever away from the camand in the position indicated in Figure 6. In this connection it shouldbe understood that the presence of the finger 60 abutting against theshoulder 61 prevents an anti-clockwise rotation of lever 48 on its pivotl9 thereby holding the spring 56 extended. However, when a predeterminedpoint in the measuring movement has been reached, this trigger isactuated automatically to withdraw the finger 60 and this permits thespring 56 to open the shutters and simultaneously pulls cam lever 48over so that its roller 57 comes in contact with the edge of the cam. Ateach revolution, when the notch 47 comes opposite to the roller 5!, theroller moves into the notch, thereby permitting the spring to open theshutter again. It should be understood that this cam rotates insynchrony with the traction pointer 7, so that whenever the pointer 7arrives at one of the fractional divisions oi? the scale the cam willpermit the spring 56 to open the shut ter.

I shall now describe the controlling means for controlling the trigger58 and the means for setting it to any predetermined position at will.On the spindle 35 I provide a controller member in the form of a cam 62(see Figure 5) and this cam is driven by a triction drive from thespindle 35. This triction drive may be accomplished by means of a springwasher 68 which thrusts against a shoulder on the spindle 35, the edgeof the disk or washer engaging the upper face of the cam. This cam has anotch 64 or other means on its periphery which engages a friction roller65 carried on an arm 66 of the trigger or hell crank lever 58. Beneaththe plate 59 a spring 6? is provided which is attached to the arm 66 andoperates to hold the roller 65 against the edge of the controller cam62. (See Fig. 3).

The details of the construction of the trigger are clearly illustratedin Figure 8 from which it will be evident that when the finger movestowardthe plate 19 it will move out of engagement with the shoulder 61.This will release the cam lever and permit the shutter actuatingmechanism to operate the shutter. In order to enabl the cont-roller cam62 to. be set in an advanced position, when the pointers 6 and 7 are atZero I provide the controller cam 62 with a rigid bevel gear wheel 68which may be rotated by a small bevel pinion 69 (see Figure 5) carriedon a horizontal spindle 70 which carries a pinion 71 meshing with a gearwheel 72 rotatably mounted on a stem 73 carrying a hand wheel 74.. Thishand wheel Tl has numbered divisions which are numbered from 1 to 12 tocorrespond with the large numbers on the dial. The number which isuppermost on the hand wheel will indicate the point at which the shutterwill commence to operate. lVith this construction it will be evidentthat it the hands 6 and 7 are at zero the hand wheel 74 may be rotatedso as to move the notch 64. in a backward or anti clockwise direction onthe spindle 35. As the pointer (i rotates, the cam 62 and its notch G lrotate with the pointer, and when the notch gets under the roller on theend of the arm 66 ot the bell-crank lever 58 it will permit the spring67 to actuate the trigger or bell-crank lever 58 in the proper directionto release the lever 48. This will enable the shutter to commenceoperating.

T will now briefly describe the general mode oi operation of the entiremechanism. in the measuring operation the fabric is pulled through thegap 2 between the measuring roller 3 and the presser roller 4- therebyrotating the pinion 20 carried by the measuring roller shaft (see Figure7) and this communicates movement through the gear train 21, 24-, 27,etc. to the gears 28 and 29 which are rigid with the take-up rollers 15and 16. This rotates the takeup rollers in a clockwise direction andwinds up the charts 13 and 14 upon ther'. Throu Y bevel gears 31' andthe reduction h the hands 6 and 7 are rotated in unison with the charts.The shutters 52 and are normally held under the windows 11 therebyoperating to screen the charts. They are held in this position by thefinger ("30 carried by trigger 58 which engages shoulder 61 and holdsthe cam lever 48 in the position to hold the shutters closed. Byrotating the hand wheel 74 the controlling cam 62 rnay be set around soas to place its notch 6% in any position desired. This cam 62 rotatingas it does with. the spindle of the yard pointer 6 finally moves to apoint where the notch 64 will permit the trigger or bell crank lever toswing in a (lii'OL ion to disengage the linger ($0 from the cam lever.This will release the cam lever and permit its roller 57 to come againstthe edge of cam 46. The edge of the cam 4.6 normally holds the shutterclosed, but as the pointer 7 passes each fractional division. such asthe one-eighth, or one-fourth division, etc. the shutter will openautomatically thereby enabling the computed figures ill] 36 on the chartto be read. In this way the shutter is so controlled that it onlycommences to operate at about the time when its operation is needed.

It is understood that the embodiment of the invention described hereinis only one of the many embodiments my invention may take, and I do notwish to be limited in the practice of my invention nor in my claims, tothe particular embodiment set forth.

lVhat I claim is:

1. In a measuring machine, the combination of a length-indicator and achart bearing computed figures, means for moving the length indicatorand chart in harmony, shutter means co-operating with the chart,automatic shutter operating means for causing the sln1ttermeans toscreen the chart between certain predetermined indicating positions ofthe length-indicator and to display it at such positions, and means forcontrolling the shutter operating means to inhibit the opening of theshutter means thereby until the length-indicator indicates a predetermined length.

In a measuring machine, the combination of a measuring roller, alength-indicator comprising a scale with fractional divisions of theunit of i easure, a pointer cooperating therewith, a chart bearingcomputed figures based on different prices per yard of the unit ofmeasure and the said fractions thereof, means for driving the pointerand the chart from the measuring roller, shutter means cooperating withthe chart, means for con trolling the same to prevent the chart frombeing seen except when the pointer is in substantial alinement with oneof the said fractional divisions on the scale, and functioningautomatically at such time to open the shutter, and means forcontrolling the shutter controlling means to inhibit the opening of theshutter until the length-indicator indicates a predetermined length.

3. In a measuring machine, the combination of a measuring roller, alength-indicator having a driven pointer and a scale with fractionaldivisions corresponding to aliquot fractions of the unit of measure, achart driven in unison with the pointer, and hearing computed figurescorresponding to multiples of the unit of measure and said aliquotfractions thereof, a shutter cooperating with the chart, means fordriving the pointer and the chart from the measuring; roller,shutter-actuating mechanism for the shutter operating when actuated tohold the shutter open when the pointer substantially aliues with one ofthe fractional divisions of the scale and operating to hold the shutterclosed when the pointer is in other positions, a controller membermounted to rotate with the pointer, a trigger controlled thereby forinhibiting the operating of the said shutteractuating mechanism, meansfor setting said controller member in a predetermined position at will,said controller member having means for actuating the trigger andthereby putting the actuating mechanism of the shutter in operation.

In a measuring machine, the combination of a measuring roller, alength-indicator driven thereby and having a driven pointer and a scalewith fractional divisions corresponding to aliquot fractions of the unitof measure, a chart driven in unison with the pointer, and bearingcomputed figures corresponding to multiples of the unit of measure andsaid aliquot fractions thereof, a shutter co-operating with the chart,shutteractuating mechanism comprising a cam mounted so as to be drivenin synchrony with the pointer, a cam lever adapted to be controlled bythe cam and connected with the shutter for actuating the same, acontroller member mounted to rotate in unison with the pointer, atrigger controlled thereby constructed to engage said lever and hold thesame away from the cam, and means for setting said controller member ina predetermined position at will, said controller member operating toactuate the trigger at a predetermined point to release the cam leverand permit the shutter to operate thereafter.

5. In a measuring machine, the combination of a measuring roller, alength-indicator driven thereby and having a driven pointer and a scalewith fractional divisions corresponding to aliquot fractions of the unitof measure, a chart driven in unison with the pointer, and bearingcomputed figures corresponding to multiples of the unit of measure andsaid aliquot fractions thereof, a shutter cooperating with the chart,shutteractuating mechanism, a spindle carrying the said driven pointer,a controller member having a friction drive connection with said spindlewhereby the controller member rotates in unison with the pointer, meansfor setting the controller member in predetermined positions at will,and a trigger constructed to prevent movement of the shutter-actuatingmechanism, and actuated by the controller member to release the same andpermit the shutter to operate.

In a measuring machine, the combination of a measuring roller, alength-indicator driven thereby, and having a driven pointer and a scalewith fractional divisions corresponding to aliquot fractions of the unitof measure, a chart driven in unison with the pointer, and bearingcomputed figures corresponding to multiples of the unit of measure andsaid aliquot fractions thereof, a shutter co-operating with the chart,shutteractuating mechanism, a spindle carrying the said driven pointer,a controller member having a friction drive connection with said spindlewhereby the controller Kilt) member rotates in unison with the pointer,a hand wheel having numbered divisions on its periphery and having arotatably mounted stem, means actuated by said stem for setting thecontroller member in predetermined positions at will when the pointer isin its zero position, and a trigger constructed to prevent movement ofthe shutter-actuating mechanism, and actuated by the controller memberto release the same and permit the shutter to operate when the pointerarrives at a predetermined position.

7. In a registering machine having a driven chart carrying computedfigures, and a driven pointer for indicating lengths measured, thecombination of a scale cooperating with the pointer and havingfractional divi sions corresponding to aliquot fractions of the unit ofmeasure, a shutter, means for holding the shutter in a position toscreen the chart until the pointer arrives at a predetermined point inthe measuring movement, and automatic means for actuatingthe shutterthereafter to open the same and to hold the same open when the pointeris in substantial alinement with a fractional division of said scaleimmediately beyond said point.

8. In a registering machine, the combination of a unit pointer and afraction pointer,

a chart driven in unison therewith, a scale cooperating with thepointers, having numbers indicating multiples of the unit of measure andfractional divisions corresponding to aliquot fractions of the unit ofmeasure, a cam driven in synchrony with the fraction pointer so that thecam passes through one cycle or revolution while the fraction pointer ispassing from one of the fractional divisions to the next, a shuttercooperating with the chart, a cam lever connected with the shutter andadapt-ed to be actuated by the cam to move the shutter, a trigger forengaging the cam lever to prevent the same from engaging the cam, acontroller member and frictional means for driving the same in unisonwith the pointers, a hand wheel having numbered divisions on itsperiphery, means actuated thereby for rotating the controller member toset the same to any predetermined position at will when the pointers arein the zero position, said controller member having means on itsperiphery for actuating the trigger to release the cam lever and startthe operation of the shutter at a predetermined point.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

JOHN L. WHEELER.

